A plan for use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing consumer welfare, public safety & homeland security, education, worker training and other national purposes as mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The commission wants to cut the red tape when it comes to educational efforts by increasing the supply of digital content and online learning systems and promoting digital literacy for students and teachers. The FCC also suggested an upgrade to the beleagured E-Rate grant program to allow for additional connectivity, flexibility and efficiency.
Steve Balkam, FOSI: Digital Citizenship includes not just the rights of free expression (as important as that is) and the right to remain safe online but also duties and responsibilities of a full active and engaged citizen, respecting others' rights and looking out for other cyber citizens in a civil and respectful manner.
Excerpts from conversation about National Broadband Plan adoption.